by Samara Smith

Created on: October 01, 2010   Last Updated: October 02, 2010

Buying a stroller can be incredibly overwhelming. From status symbols to heavy duty joggers, the stroller department may resemble your local auto mall. Just like buying a car, you'll need to do a lot of test driving. Get started with this simple review guide of today's top strollers.     

You've seen it in magazines and it even made an appearance in the Sex and the City movie. The Stokke (pronounced “stoke-ah”) Xplory is that famous, alien-like stroller that is all about high altitude. This Scandinavian attention getter puts your baby right at eye level above pollutant factors such as exhaust pipes. Weighing in at 28 pounds, the Xplory is made of automobile-grade plastic with an aluminum frame. The storage compartment is quite large and it comes equipped with a bassinet and toddler seat. One of the great features is the extremely comfortable hand-grip which is ideal for one-hand maneuvering. There even a stair and snow feature – never before seen in other strollers. Multiple accessories can be bought for the Xplory including a brand new fur-lined winter kit. The downside? It is a bit rigid on cobblestone due to the plastic build. Oh, and one more downside – the price. The Stokke Xplory is a whopping $1200.

You see it everywhere for a reason. The Bugaboo Cameleon drives like a Mercedes. It's smooth, turns easily and can be guided by one hand. This Dutch invention has become a status symbol with at $900 price tag. Included in the price is the frame, bassinet, toddler seat as well as a few other accessories. Weighing 26 pounds, the Bugaboo also has an array of add-on accessories in a variety of colors. With amazing suspension and the ability to conquer uneven sidewalks like no other, it is obvious why this is the most popular designer stroller. The only complaint is that storage is mediocre and the stroller moves awkwardly on stairs.

What makes the Orbit so appealing? It's heavier than other strollers and lacks swiveling skills. Well, the Orbit has a multifunctional dock that allows you to clip on a bassinet, car seat or toddler seat allowing for a 360-degree rotation. For $900, this high-end travel system comes with the base, frame and an infant car seat. The toddler seat and bassinet are sold separately. At 33 pounds, the biggest complaint is the lack of storage – holding less than any other stroller. However, the Orbit makes car-to-sidewalk transitions fast and easy which is the main selling point for many.

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>